BJP policies threaten ancient temple properties as well, claims lawmaker from Saharanpur
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Congress MP Imran Masood from Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur has issued a strong condemnation of the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, labelling it as a threat to the future of Muslims and a direct assault on India’s Constitution.
Speaking at an election campaign event amidst the upcoming by-elections, Masood voiced deep concerns, warning that the bill could lead to the destruction of madrasa and mosque properties, with similar risks for ancient temple properties under the BJP’s influence.
“The implementation of the Waqf Bill is not only a direct attack on Muslims but also on the country’s Constitution,” said Masood, who is a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). He cautioned that the government’s control over the Waqf Board could erode Muslim autonomy over their own properties. “When the Waqf Board also comes under the government, what will we be left with?” he questioned.
During his address to the media, Masood expressed his concerns about the atmosphere of intolerance he believes is being fostered in the country. “The BJP government has created a strange atmosphere in the country. Today, the properties of Muslims are being destroyed all over the country,” he stated. He described the proposed bill as a violation of constitutional rights, adding, “Where will the graveyards go, and the properties of madrasas and mosques will also be destroyed? Similarly, in the future, BJP will also destroy the properties of ancient temples by creating boards.”
Masood further accused the BJP of attempting to control Hindu temples through similar measures, suggesting that the party is driven by a divisive agenda. “The BJP government has started making boards for temples,” he alleged. “This country will run on brotherhood, not hatred, but BJP is creating a rift between Hindus and Muslims.”
Masood urged Indian citizens to resist division and focus on communal harmony. “India is an example of communal harmony in the whole world. Congress will not allow communal harmony to end,” he assured, appealing to people to “know their reality, forget their differences, and live together.”
The Waqf Amendment Bill has sparked heated debates nationwide, especially among Muslim leaders and communities who fear its implications on their religious institutions. As temperatures drop, the political atmosphere is heating up in Uttar Pradesh, with by-elections set to become a significant testing ground for these competing perspectives on the future of religious property rights in the country.